Webb Annual Reports

Alumni Fund

Jake M. Neuman ’93
CHAIRMAN OF THE WEBB ALUMNI FUND

Solid Performance in the Midst of Change and Uncertainty!

At first glance, the 2019-20 Webb Alumni Fund (WAF) total raised of $2,027,089 might seem underwhelming with the backdrop of the successive record-breaking WAF years. But when you consider just how different this giving year was from most, reaching the $2 million plateau was a difficult task, one that could only be accomplished through your generous gifts during these uncertain times. When we planned for this WAF year, we knew all too well that you have been asked to stretch your giving capacity during the six-year Campaign for Webb effort. Then unexpectedly, in the last quarter of the giving year, COVID-19 disrupted our lives.

Most Webb students learned remotely during the spring semester. Many alumni experienced professional hardships. Our Spring Phon-a-thon was replaced by Webb Cares—phone outreach conducted by Webb students to ensure everyone’s well-being—a great display of the Webb family values. In spite of all of the challenges, alumni, led by class agents, persevered and contributed over $2 million of much-needed support for Webb. This is only the fourth time in Webb’s history that the WAF has surpassed $2 million, and for added context, the WAF secured $1.3 million in the first year before the Campaign for Webb (2013-14). In short, I am proud of what my fellow alumni have accomplished, but I would not be doing my job unless I shared with you that I think we can do even better next year! THANK YOU to all who continue to make the WAF a pillar of Webb’s financial support.

Webb Parent Annual Fund

Why Give to the Webb Parent Annual Fund?

• Your child is the direct beneficiary of your support!

• Your support enhances the quality and depth of the education that your child receives and helps enrich Webb’s social experience.

• Webb is the only private engineering college in the United States providing every student with a full-tuition scholarship.

• The cost to educate each Webbie is approximately $80,000 per year.

• The commitment you make will have a direct impact on Webb’s present and future well-being. Through the generosity of parents, alumni, and friends, the Annual Fund now provides for an incredible 35% of Webb’s operating costs!

• Parents’ strong commitment encourages alumni, corporations, and foundations to invest in Webb. 70% of parents gave back to Webb in 2016-17!

The Campaign for Webb

Members of the Webb family contributed a record-breaking $51.6 million in gifts and pledges during the Campaign for Webb. The success of this effort was made possible by the generosity of the Webb alumni, 83% of whom contributed; the leadership of the seven Keystone and Cornerstone donors who contributed $5 million and $2.5 million or more, respectively; and, nearly 1,800 donors, including parents and friends of Webb. Thank you for your support!

Press Releases: 

• Campaign for Webb Reaches Important Milestone (05/05/16)
• Campaign for Webb Reaches Important Milestone (02/04/16)
• Webb Institute Launches Most Ambitious Fundraising Campaign In Its History (09/10/15)

Leave a Legacy – The Heritage Society

Webb Institute is fortunate to have alumni and friends whose dedication to the institution has inspired them to leave a lasting legacy. There are members of the Heritage Society as young as members of the Class of 2018—so you see, it is never too early to consider Webb in your future plans.

The Heritage Society is made up of members who have made planned gifts of all types and sizes, and getting started can be as simple as making Webb a full or partial beneficiary of your 401(k), IRA or life insurance policy; or a bequest naming Webb in your will or living trust.

As Webb’s Planned Giving Chairman, my primary goal is to expand membership in the Heritage Society. Planned giving has made a remarkable impact on Webb’s present and future as over $20 million of estate pledges and realized commitments have been secured during the Campaign for Webb. Please join me today and become the newest member of the Heritage Society.

Your membership involves no dues, but it does allow us to thank you and recognize you for the plans you have made, and it may inspire generosity in others. Finally, your membership ensures a special invitation to the Heritage Society reception and dinner held annually at the President’s House during Homecoming Week.

Learn more about planned giving and the various ways to support Webb.

For more information, contact Anthony R. Zic, Webb’s Director of Development at 516-759-2040 or email ude.bbew@ciza

Webb Every Year Program (WebbEY)

The Webb Every Year Program (WebbEY) was established during the 2006-2007 Annual Fund Campaign. Initially, this program was created to acknowledge alumni donors for their consecutive years of giving. Eventually, it was extended to include other members within our community and now recognizes family and friends. The WebbEY program was created strictly to recognize our donors’ consistency of support, regardless of gift amount. In order to attain the status of becoming a WebbEY, a donor has to contribute to the Annual Fund for a minimum of five consecutive years. Consecutive giving allows Webb to plan for a future with assurance and to continue to be recognized as the premier college of naval architecture and marine engineering. We wish to thank the following contributors for their loyalty and generosity and for attaining the distinct honor of achieving WebbEY status.

View the list of our WebbEY members.

Give Time

Members of the Webb family can serve as excellent resources enhancing Webb’s educational experience. We are looking for alumni, friends, and industry experts to share their time and experience with our students.

There are a number of ways you can help:

• Host and mentor students at your company in support of Webb’s Winter Work program.
• Sign up to be a speaker in our weekly lecture series or serve as a guest lecturer in one of our courses.
• Sign up to be a mentor and evaluator for student design projects.
• Sign up to support and mentor senior thesis projects.
• Host a student visit, class field trip, or tour of your company.

In addition, you can help develop and improve Webb’s curriculum by:

• Participating in Webb’s Industry Advisor Group which works with the Dean to monitor the relevance and performance of Webb’s academic program.
• Introducing industry experts and decision makers to Webb.

For more information on how you can help, please contact Dean Werner at ude.bbew@renrewm.